BiH Engineering & Architecture Licensure Exam cheat sheet

Licensed practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regulated by entity-level laws: the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction (FBiH), the Law on Construction and Physical Planning (RS), and cantonal implementing acts; the Brčko District has its own construction law.

Engineers and architects are enrolled in entity chambers (Chamber of Engineers/Chamber of Architects); practicing without a licence or beyond the licensed scope is a misdemeanour subject to fines and possible ban.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a condition for licence renewal, typically requiring a set number of credit hours per year verified by the chamber.

Core ethical duties: competence within one's field, truthfulness of documentation, avoidance of conflicts of interest, confidentiality of client data, and refusal to certify work one has not verified.

Conflict of interest rule: a designer or supervisor may not certify, review, or approve work in which they or a close associate has a financial interest.

Professional liability: designers and supervisors bear liability for defects caused by their error; liability insurance is required or strongly recommended for practice and for public procurement participation.

Signing and stamping drawings, calculations, and supervision reports is a personal act; the licence holder is accountable for content and may not delegate the signature.

Public procurement of design and supervision services follows the BiH Law on Public Procurement; abnormally low fees that compromise safety are an ethics violation even where legally permitted.

Eurocode basis: design value of resistance R_d = R_k/γ_M and design effect E_d = γ_F·E_k; partial factors for persistent actions are typically γ_G = 1.35 and γ_Q = 1.50.

Ultimate limit state check: E_d ≤ R_d; serviceability check: E_d,ser ≤ C_d (deflection, crack width, vibration limits per Eurocode 2/3/5).

Equilibrium and static determinacy: a plane structure is statically determinate when 3 reactions ≥ 3 and internal releases balance; degree of indeterminacy = (3m + r) − (3j + releases).

Superposition applies only to linear elastic systems; second-order (P-Δ) effects must be included when the elastic critical load factor α_cr < 10 (or per national annex).

Concrete: f_cd = α_cc·f_ck/γ_C with γ_C ≈ 1.5; f_ctm from f_ck; minimum reinforcement A_s,min = max(0.26·f_ctm/f_yk, 0.0013)·b·d.

Steel: cross-section resistance uses f_y/γ_M0; member buckling uses χ from the relevant buckling curve and N_b,Rd = χ·A·f_y/γ_M1.

Seismic design: base shear per Eurocode 8, F_b = S_d(T1)·m·λ; behaviour factor q reduces elastic forces; capacity design enforces ductile hierarchy of failure.

Load combinations: persistent/transient use ψ factors for accompanying variable actions; accidental and seismic combinations use ψ2 and reduced partial factors.

Bearing capacity (drained): q_ult = c'·N_c + q'·N_q + 0.5·γ'·B·N_γ; undrained clay uses q_ult = c_u·N_c + q with N_c ≈ 5.14 for strip footings.

Allowable bearing pressure = q_ult/FS with FS typically 2.5–3.0 for shallow foundations; settlement must also be checked against serviceability limits.

Terzaghi one-dimensional consolidation: S = C_c/(1+e_0)·H·log10((σ'_0+Δσ)/σ'_0) for normally consolidated clay.

Effective stress principle: σ' = σ − u; all strength and stiffness parameters (c', φ', E') are expressed in effective terms for drained conditions.

Liquefaction screening: saturated loose sands below the water table with (N1)60 < 15–20 and groundwater shallower than about 10 m are potentially liquefiable under strong shaking.

Pile capacity: Q_ult = Q_b + Q_s = q_b·A_b + Σ f_s·A_s; group effects reduce capacity and increase settlement relative to single piles.

Earth pressure: Rankine active K_a = tan²(45° − φ/2), passive K_p = tan²(45° + φ/2); at-rest K_0 ≈ 1 − sin φ for normally consolidated soil.

Slope stability: factor of safety F = resisting shear / driving shear; Bishop simplified method is standard for circular slip surfaces, with F ≥ 1.3–1.5 depending on consequence.

Concrete conformity: cube strength f_ck,cyl ≈ 0.8·f_ck,cube; conformity assessed on groups of results per EN 206 with characteristic strength and minimum individual values.

Slump/flow tests assess workability; air content, density, and temperature are routine fresh-concrete checks; specimens cure 28 days at 20 ± 2 °C before compressive testing.

Rebar testing: tensile test gives yield strength R_eH, tensile strength R_m, and elongation A; characteristic values must meet the declared class (e.g., B500B).

Steel structures: welds are checked by visual, ultrasonic, or radiographic methods; bolted connections by torque or tension calibration per the specified class.

Soil compaction control: Proctor (standard or modified) determines maximum dry density and optimum moisture; field density by sand-replacement or nuclear gauge; acceptance requires ≥ 95–98 % of Proctor maximum.

Aggregate tests: grading curve, fineness modulus, Los Angeles abrasion, and flakiness index; alkali–silica reactivity screening for reactive aggregates.

Bituminous mixtures: Marshall stability and flow, air voids, and binder content; compaction degree checked by core density against reference density.

Non-destructive testing: rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity give indicative strength; cores are required for arbitration or where NDT results are doubtful.

Thermal transmittance U = 1/R_total; R = d/λ per layer plus surface resistances; lower U means better insulation, and national energy rules set maximum U-values per element.

Thermal bridging: linear thermal transmittance ψ adds to transmission loss; Ψ·l must be included in the envelope heat-loss calculation.

Moisture: Glaser method checks interstitial condensation by comparing vapour pressure to saturation pressure through the assembly; a continuous vapour barrier is placed on the warm side.

Ventilation heat loss Q_v = ρ·c_p·V̇·ΔT; required fresh-air rate follows occupancy and hygiene standards, with heat recovery reducing the loss.

Heating load: transmission plus ventilation losses minus internal and solar gains; boiler and distribution efficiency reduce the delivered energy requirement.

Energy performance certificate (EPC) rates the building from A to G based on primary energy and CO2; nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) targets apply to new construction.

Acoustic insulation: airborne sound reduction index R_w and impact sound level L_n,w; flanking transmission often governs and must be checked separately.

Daylight and lighting: daylight factor = interior illuminance / unobstructed horizontal exterior illuminance × 100; minimum values depend on room use.

Spatial plan hierarchy in BiH: state-level, entity spatial plan, cantonal/regional plan, municipal spatial plan, and urbanistic plan (regulacioni plan) with detailed building rules.

Building rules: buildable area, building line, setback from plot boundaries, height and floor-area ratio (FAR = gross floor area / plot area), and coefficient of built-up area (footprint / plot area).

Accessibility: ramps at ≤ 1:20 slope (1:12 for short runs), minimum clear widths, tactile guidance, and accessible sanitary facilities are mandatory for public buildings.

Fire and life safety in layout: maximum travel distance to an exit, exit width per occupant, compartment size limits, and smoke-ventilated stairs must be checked at concept stage.

Urban mobility: street cross-sections allocate carriageway, parking, sidewalks, and green strips; parking norms per use (e.g., spaces per dwelling or per 100 m² of office) are set locally.

Heritage protection: buildings in protected zones or on the register require conservation approval; interventions must preserve authentic fabric and character.

Solar orientation and microclimate: principal glazing within about 30° of south, shading for summer overheating, and wind protection at entrances.

Public participation: draft spatial and urban plans are subject to public review before adoption; objections must be addressed in the plan documentation.

Critical path method: total float = LS − ES = LF − EF; activities with zero total float form the critical path and drive project duration.

Earned value: CPI = EV/AC, SPI = EV/PV; CPI < 1 means cost overrun, SPI < 1 means schedule slippage.

Concrete construction sequence: formwork, reinforcement, placing, compaction, curing; striking time depends on strength gain and member type.

Earthworks: cut-and-fill balance minimizes haul; compaction in layers of 20–30 cm with moisture control near optimum.

Site layout: crane coverage, material storage, access roads, and temporary facilities must respect safety distances and not obstruct fire access.

Quality plan: inspection and test plan (ITP) defines hold points, witness points, and records for each activity; non-conformities are logged and closed before handover.

Contract types: lump-sum, unit-price (measured), and cost-plus; unit-price contracts suit variable quantities and require a bill of quantities.

Progress payment and retention: interim certificates based on measured work, with retention (typically 5–10 %) released after the defects liability period.

Road geometric design: design speed determines minimum horizontal radius R = V²/(127·(e + f)); vertical curves use stopping sight distance.

Pavement design: traffic loading in equivalent standard axles (ESAL); flexible pavement layers (subbase, base, asphalt) sized from the design traffic and subgrade strength.

Drainage: rational method Q = C·i·A for small catchments; return periods are typically 2–10 years for urban drainage and higher for major structures.

Water supply: demand per capita, peak factor, minimum residual pressure, and fire-flow requirement; Hazen–Williams or Darcy–Weisbach for head loss.

Wastewater: separate vs combined systems; design flow = average dry-weather flow × peak factor plus infiltration; self-cleansing velocity about 0.6–1.0 m/s at minimum flow.

Bridges: load model per Eurocode 1 (LM1), with dynamic amplification, temperature, and braking forces; scour check at piers is mandatory.

Rail: horizontal and vertical alignment governed by cant, transition length, and maximum gradient; level crossings require sight-distance checks.

Water treatment: screening, coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection; turbidity and residual chlorine are key compliance parameters.

Hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment as the last line of defence.

Work at height: collective protection (guardrails, nets) preferred over personal fall arrest; anchor points and rescue plans are required.

Excavations: shoring or battering for depths beyond about 1.5 m; daily inspection, edge protection, and keeping spoil away from the edge.

Fire protection: passive measures (compartmentation, fire doors, protected escape routes) plus active measures (detection, sprinklers, hydrants); structural fire resistance rated in minutes (R 30/60/90).

Fire safety documentation: fire safety study/elaborate is required before the building permit; it defines escape routes, fire compartments, and equipment.

Hazardous substances: safety data sheets, storage segregation, and spill containment; asbestos and lead surveys precede demolition or refurbishment.

Environmental impact: EIA screening and, where required, a full EIA with public consultation precede approval for major projects; mitigation measures enter the permit conditions.

Construction waste: separate collection, reuse of excavated material where suitable, and disposal only at authorized sites with waste tracking records.

Licensed practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regulated by entity-level laws: the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction (FBiH), the Law on Construction and Physical Planning (RS), and cantonal implementing acts; the Brčko District has its own construction law.

Engineers and architects are enrolled in entity chambers (Chamber of Engineers/Chamber of Architects); practicing without a licence or beyond the licensed scope is a misdemeanour subject to fines and possible ban.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a condition for licence renewal, typically requiring a set number of credit hours per year verified by the chamber.

Core ethical duties: competence within one's field, truthfulness of documentation, avoidance of conflicts of interest, confidentiality of client data, and refusal to certify work one has not verified.

Conflict of interest rule: a designer or supervisor may not certify, review, or approve work in which they or a close associate has a financial interest.

Professional liability: designers and supervisors bear liability for defects caused by their error; liability insurance is required or strongly recommended for practice and for public procurement participation.

Signing and stamping drawings, calculations, and supervision reports is a personal act; the licence holder is accountable for content and may not delegate the signature.

Public procurement of design and supervision services follows the BiH Law on Public Procurement; abnormally low fees that compromise safety are an ethics violation even where legally permitted.

Eurocode basis: design value of resistance R_d = R_k/γ_M and design effect E_d = γ_F·E_k; partial factors for persistent actions are typically γ_G = 1.35 and γ_Q = 1.50.

Ultimate limit state check: E_d ≤ R_d; serviceability check: E_d,ser ≤ C_d (deflection, crack width, vibration limits per Eurocode 2/3/5).

Equilibrium and static determinacy: a plane structure is statically determinate when 3 reactions ≥ 3 and internal releases balance; degree of indeterminacy = (3m + r) − (3j + releases).

Superposition applies only to linear elastic systems; second-order (P-Δ) effects must be included when the elastic critical load factor α_cr < 10 (or per national annex).

Concrete: f_cd = α_cc·f_ck/γ_C with γ_C ≈ 1.5; f_ctm from f_ck; minimum reinforcement A_s,min = max(0.26·f_ctm/f_yk, 0.0013)·b·d.

Steel: cross-section resistance uses f_y/γ_M0; member buckling uses χ from the relevant buckling curve and N_b,Rd = χ·A·f_y/γ_M1.

Seismic design: base shear per Eurocode 8, F_b = S_d(T1)·m·λ; behaviour factor q reduces elastic forces; capacity design enforces ductile hierarchy of failure.

Load combinations: persistent/transient use ψ factors for accompanying variable actions; accidental and seismic combinations use ψ2 and reduced partial factors.

Bearing capacity (drained): q_ult = c'·N_c + q'·N_q + 0.5·γ'·B·N_γ; undrained clay uses q_ult = c_u·N_c + q with N_c ≈ 5.14 for strip footings.

Allowable bearing pressure = q_ult/FS with FS typically 2.5–3.0 for shallow foundations; settlement must also be checked against serviceability limits.

Terzaghi one-dimensional consolidation: S = C_c/(1+e_0)·H·log10((σ'_0+Δσ)/σ'_0) for normally consolidated clay.

Effective stress principle: σ' = σ − u; all strength and stiffness parameters (c', φ', E') are expressed in effective terms for drained conditions.

Liquefaction screening: saturated loose sands below the water table with (N1)60 < 15–20 and groundwater shallower than about 10 m are potentially liquefiable under strong shaking.

Pile capacity: Q_ult = Q_b + Q_s = q_b·A_b + Σ f_s·A_s; group effects reduce capacity and increase settlement relative to single piles.

Earth pressure: Rankine active K_a = tan²(45° − φ/2), passive K_p = tan²(45° + φ/2); at-rest K_0 ≈ 1 − sin φ for normally consolidated soil.

Slope stability: factor of safety F = resisting shear / driving shear; Bishop simplified method is standard for circular slip surfaces, with F ≥ 1.3–1.5 depending on consequence.

Concrete conformity: cube strength f_ck,cyl ≈ 0.8·f_ck,cube; conformity assessed on groups of results per EN 206 with characteristic strength and minimum individual values.

Slump/flow tests assess workability; air content, density, and temperature are routine fresh-concrete checks; specimens cure 28 days at 20 ± 2 °C before compressive testing.

Rebar testing: tensile test gives yield strength R_eH, tensile strength R_m, and elongation A; characteristic values must meet the declared class (e.g., B500B).

Steel structures: welds are checked by visual, ultrasonic, or radiographic methods; bolted connections by torque or tension calibration per the specified class.

Soil compaction control: Proctor (standard or modified) determines maximum dry density and optimum moisture; field density by sand-replacement or nuclear gauge; acceptance requires ≥ 95–98 % of Proctor maximum.

Aggregate tests: grading curve, fineness modulus, Los Angeles abrasion, and flakiness index; alkali–silica reactivity screening for reactive aggregates.

Bituminous mixtures: Marshall stability and flow, air voids, and binder content; compaction degree checked by core density against reference density.

Non-destructive testing: rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity give indicative strength; cores are required for arbitration or where NDT results are doubtful.

Thermal transmittance U = 1/R_total; R = d/λ per layer plus surface resistances; lower U means better insulation, and national energy rules set maximum U-values per element.

Thermal bridging: linear thermal transmittance ψ adds to transmission loss; Ψ·l must be included in the envelope heat-loss calculation.

Moisture: Glaser method checks interstitial condensation by comparing vapour pressure to saturation pressure through the assembly; a continuous vapour barrier is placed on the warm side.

Ventilation heat loss Q_v = ρ·c_p·V̇·ΔT; required fresh-air rate follows occupancy and hygiene standards, with heat recovery reducing the loss.

Heating load: transmission plus ventilation losses minus internal and solar gains; boiler and distribution efficiency reduce the delivered energy requirement.

Energy performance certificate (EPC) rates the building from A to G based on primary energy and CO2; nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) targets apply to new construction.

Acoustic insulation: airborne sound reduction index R_w and impact sound level L_n,w; flanking transmission often governs and must be checked separately.

Daylight and lighting: daylight factor = interior illuminance / unobstructed horizontal exterior illuminance × 100; minimum values depend on room use.

Spatial plan hierarchy in BiH: state-level, entity spatial plan, cantonal/regional plan, municipal spatial plan, and urbanistic plan (regulacioni plan) with detailed building rules.

Building rules: buildable area, building line, setback from plot boundaries, height and floor-area ratio (FAR = gross floor area / plot area), and coefficient of built-up area (footprint / plot area).

Accessibility: ramps at ≤ 1:20 slope (1:12 for short runs), minimum clear widths, tactile guidance, and accessible sanitary facilities are mandatory for public buildings.

Fire and life safety in layout: maximum travel distance to an exit, exit width per occupant, compartment size limits, and smoke-ventilated stairs must be checked at concept stage.

Urban mobility: street cross-sections allocate carriageway, parking, sidewalks, and green strips; parking norms per use (e.g., spaces per dwelling or per 100 m² of office) are set locally.

Heritage protection: buildings in protected zones or on the register require conservation approval; interventions must preserve authentic fabric and character.

Solar orientation and microclimate: principal glazing within about 30° of south, shading for summer overheating, and wind protection at entrances.

Public participation: draft spatial and urban plans are subject to public review before adoption; objections must be addressed in the plan documentation.

Critical path method: total float = LS − ES = LF − EF; activities with zero total float form the critical path and drive project duration.

Earned value: CPI = EV/AC, SPI = EV/PV; CPI < 1 means cost overrun, SPI < 1 means schedule slippage.

Concrete construction sequence: formwork, reinforcement, placing, compaction, curing; striking time depends on strength gain and member type.

Earthworks: cut-and-fill balance minimizes haul; compaction in layers of 20–30 cm with moisture control near optimum.

Site layout: crane coverage, material storage, access roads, and temporary facilities must respect safety distances and not obstruct fire access.

Quality plan: inspection and test plan (ITP) defines hold points, witness points, and records for each activity; non-conformities are logged and closed before handover.

Contract types: lump-sum, unit-price (measured), and cost-plus; unit-price contracts suit variable quantities and require a bill of quantities.

Progress payment and retention: interim certificates based on measured work, with retention (typically 5–10 %) released after the defects liability period.

Road geometric design: design speed determines minimum horizontal radius R = V²/(127·(e + f)); vertical curves use stopping sight distance.

Pavement design: traffic loading in equivalent standard axles (ESAL); flexible pavement layers (subbase, base, asphalt) sized from the design traffic and subgrade strength.

Drainage: rational method Q = C·i·A for small catchments; return periods are typically 2–10 years for urban drainage and higher for major structures.

Water supply: demand per capita, peak factor, minimum residual pressure, and fire-flow requirement; Hazen–Williams or Darcy–Weisbach for head loss.

Wastewater: separate vs combined systems; design flow = average dry-weather flow × peak factor plus infiltration; self-cleansing velocity about 0.6–1.0 m/s at minimum flow.

Bridges: load model per Eurocode 1 (LM1), with dynamic amplification, temperature, and braking forces; scour check at piers is mandatory.

Rail: horizontal and vertical alignment governed by cant, transition length, and maximum gradient; level crossings require sight-distance checks.

Water treatment: screening, coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection; turbidity and residual chlorine are key compliance parameters.

Hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment as the last line of defence.

Work at height: collective protection (guardrails, nets) preferred over personal fall arrest; anchor points and rescue plans are required.

Excavations: shoring or battering for depths beyond about 1.5 m; daily inspection, edge protection, and keeping spoil away from the edge.

Fire protection: passive measures (compartmentation, fire doors, protected escape routes) plus active measures (detection, sprinklers, hydrants); structural fire resistance rated in minutes (R 30/60/90).

Fire safety documentation: fire safety study/elaborate is required before the building permit; it defines escape routes, fire compartments, and equipment.

Hazardous substances: safety data sheets, storage segregation, and spill containment; asbestos and lead surveys precede demolition or refurbishment.

Environmental impact: EIA screening and, where required, a full EIA with public consultation precede approval for major projects; mitigation measures enter the permit conditions.

Construction waste: separate collection, reuse of excavated material where suitable, and disposal only at authorized sites with waste tracking records.